USGA, Fox Sports reach 12-year multimedia deal

Glen Nager (file photo)
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John Mummert/USGA
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By Golfweek Staff

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Fox Sports and the USGA announced a 12-year agreement that will run through 2026, bringing the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open and U.S. Senior Open to the largest sports network since 1997. The deal is set to begin in 2015.

The multimedia agreement makes Fox (and Fox Sports 1) the principal domestic media partner of the U.S. Golf Association – also targeting the USGA's numerous amateur tournaments for enhanced coverage. No financial terms of the deal were disclosed.

Fox is also host to the Super Bowl, World Series, Daytona 500 and the World Cup.

“This is an exciting and remarkable day for the USGA, as our partnership with the Fox Sports is a game-changer for our organization and for the game of golf,” USGA president Glen D. Nager said in a press release. “The game is evolving and requires bold and unique approaches on many levels, and Fox shares our vision to seek fresh thinking and innovative ideas to deliver championship golf. This partnership will help us to better lead and serve the game in new and exciting ways.”

According to the news release, the agreement calls for the USGA and Fox to deliver 146 hours of championship golf, including a minimum of 70 hours of live content during the three main Opens. Fox will also host 76 hours of live broadcast – including on the soon-to-be launched Fox Sports 1 on Aug. 17 – during the USGA's national amateur championships and international team competitions.

“It’s with tremendous excitement and pride that we’ve added events with the prestige and magnitude of the USGA’s U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open to the big events Fox Sports is set to cover for years to come,” said Randy Freer, Fox Sports' co-president and chief operating officer.

Some of the finer details of the agreement include:

• Integrating Fox Sports’ wide array of multiplatform assets, including its soon-to-launch mobile app Fox Sports Go, and innovative production capabilities to establish the U.S. Open Championship as the world’s best golf telecast;

• Elevating the visibility of the USGA’s amateur championships and delivering unique storytelling to celebrate the amateur game;

• Transforming U.S. Open week into a powerful showcase and entertaining celebration of the game of golf;

• Developing unique initiatives to enhance the USGA member experience and help grow the association’s membership community; and

• Providing significant promotional support to showcase and advance the USGA’s core services to the game, including the Rules of Golf and amateur status, equipment standards, handicapping, the USGA Green Section and the USGA museum.

“We’re looking forward to Fox Sports becoming home to the pre-eminent golf championship in the world,” said Eric Shanks, Fox Sports' co-president and chief operating officer. “We’re committed to elevating coverage of USGA events on every level, infusing them with a new energy and innovation that will make every championship the best golf event on television.”

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